Marin Readers' Forum for Feb. 23

Natasha Singh is not only teaching English and gender studies at Branson.

She is also giving a rare and indispensable lesson in courage. What a blessing for her students.

Martin Russell, MILL VALLEY

Sheriff must respect rights

In Wednesday's front page, your headline says Marin's sheriff "blasts handgun ruling," while in the body of the article the sheriff claims to be a "strong supporter of the Second Amendment."

Either the sheriff doesn't understand the substance of the Appeals Court ruling or he doesn't understand the simple wording in the Second Amendment that states "the Constitution protects the right of individuals to keep and bear arms."

In simple terms, the court ruled that current California gun laws infringe on the individual's right to "bear" arms because the state recently enacted a complete ban on the right to carry guns openly, whether or not they are loaded and the sheriff refuses to issue virtually any permits to carry concealed guns because his "good cause" requirement does not include every person's God-given right to self-protection.

The court said that the fact that in many California counties citizens cannot carry guns either openly or concealed is a virtual elimination of the right to "bear" arms.

This ruling is only "unreasonable" if our sheriff does not support the Second Amendment right to "bear" arms.

Nowhere did the appeals court rule that the sheriff could not still require that permits be issued only to citizens who are of good moral character or who are adequately trained in both the law and the physical use of guns.

William Ward, Kentfield

Per-person rationing

As I catch cold water in a bucket while waiting for the warm to arrive and make many efforts to conserve, it strikes me as a ridiculous waste of time when I read of two new backyard swimming pools being installed.

Yesterday, I walked past a neighbor who was proudly installing a new grass lawn.

There's a real disconnect here between those of us who realize how limited our water supply is and those who feel entitled to extravagant waste.

Only a per person allotment is likely to create an equitable solution.